Overview
The Agua Caliente Solar Project is a 290 MW photovoltaic power station located in Yuma County, Arizona, US. It is operated by NRG Solar and has been operational since its commissioning in April 2014 (per project records). At the time of its launch, the facility was recognized as the largest solar facility in the world.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Entity type | Solar farm |
| Primary fuel/source | Solar |
| Country | US |
| Region | Yuma County, Arizona |
| Operator | NRG Solar |
| Capacity | 290 MW |
| Commissioned | April 2014 |
| Status | Operational |
Why it matters
The Agua Caliente Solar Project holds a distinct place in the history of global renewable energy infrastructure. Upon its commissioning in April 2014, the facility was recognized as the largest solar power station in the world. This milestone marked a significant threshold in the scaling of photovoltaic technology, demonstrating that solar energy could compete with traditional thermal and hydroelectric plants in terms of immediate installed capacity. The project’s 290 MW output provided a tangible benchmark for investors and engineers evaluating the viability of large-scale solar deployments in arid, high-irradiance regions like Yuma County, Arizona.
Technologically, the project was a major validation of cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film modules at the utility scale. The installation utilized 5.2 million modules manufactured by First Solar, a leading U.S. thin-film producer. The decision to deploy such a vast number of CdTe panels highlighted the competitive advantages of thin-film technology in specific market conditions, including cost-efficiency and performance in high-temperature environments. This large-scale application helped accelerate the industry's confidence in thin-film alternatives to traditional crystalline silicon, influencing procurement strategies for subsequent solar farms across the southwestern United States.
History and Development
The Agua Caliente Solar Project was constructed in Yuma County, Arizona, utilizing 5.2 million cadmium telluride photovoltaic modules manufactured by First Solar, a U.S. thin-film producer. The facility reached a total capacity of 290 MWAC. Construction activities commenced in December 2011 and concluded in September 2013, establishing the site as the largest solar facility in the world upon its commissioning in April 2014.
Construction Milestones
The development of the solar farm progressed through several distinct capacity milestones between late 2011 and late 2013. The initial phase of construction began in December 2011. Subsequent expansions increased the installed capacity to 39 MW, followed by further growth to 100 MW, 200 MW, and 247 MW before the final completion. The entire construction period spanned from December 2011 to September 2013.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 2011 | Construction commenced |
| 2012 | Capacity reached 39 MW |
| 2012 | Capacity reached 100 MW |
| 2013 | Capacity reached 200 MW |
| 2013 | Capacity reached 247 MW |
| September 2013 | Construction completed |
The project utilized First Solar's thin-film technology for its 5.2 million modules. The facility was operated by NRG Solar. The commissioning of the project occurred in April 2014, marking the entry of the 290 MWAC station into operational status.
Technical Specifications and Design
The Agua Caliente Solar Project utilizes photovoltaic technology based on cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film modules. These modules employ CdS/CdTe technology, distinguishing the facility from traditional crystalline silicon installations. The panels are configured in a fixed tilt angle arrangement to optimize energy capture in the Yuma County, Arizona environment.
Array Configuration and Inverters
The solar arrays are structured with a specific modular design. Each array consists of 20,940 modules. This configuration supports the overall 290 MWAC capacity of the station. Power conversion is handled by 500 inverters. The specific inverter model used is the SMA 630CP. These inverters convert the direct current (DC) generated by the photovoltaic modules into alternating current (AC) for grid integration.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Technology Type | Photovoltaic (PV) |
| Module Material | Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) |
| Module Manufacturer | First Solar |
| Total Module Count | 5.2 million |
| Panel Series | Series 3 |
| Array Configuration | 20,940 modules per array |
| Tilt Angle | Fixed |
| Inverter Model | SMA 630CP |
| Total Inverters | 500 |
Financial Structure and Ownership
The Agua Caliente Solar Project was developed by NRG Solar, which served as the primary project sponsor and operator. The development of this large-scale photovoltaic facility required significant capital investment, leading to a complex financial structure that combined federal backing with long-term revenue commitments. A critical component of the project's financial viability was a loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy. This guarantee helped secure the necessary funding to construct the 290 MWAC plant in Yuma County, Arizona, utilizing 5.2 million cadmium telluride modules manufactured by First Solar.
Department of Energy Loan Guarantee
The U.S. Department of Energy provided a substantial financial instrument to mitigate risk for investors and lenders. This loan guarantee was a key factor in enabling the construction of what was, at the time of its commissioning in April 2014, the largest solar facility in the world. The federal support reflected the strategic importance of scaling up solar energy infrastructure in the United States during that period. The guarantee structure allowed NRG Solar to leverage debt more effectively, reducing the cost of capital for the project.
Power Purchase Agreement with PG&E
To ensure stable revenue streams, the project entered into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E). This long-term contract secured a buyer for the electricity generated by the 290 MWAC photovoltaic station. The PPA provided financial predictability for NRG Solar, allowing for better planning and operational management over the lifespan of the facility. The agreement with PG&E was instrumental in validating the project's economic model and supporting its status as a major energy asset in Arizona.
What are the electricity production estimates?
The Agua Caliente Solar Project’s electricity generation has been quantified through multiple analytical frameworks, reflecting variations in meteorological assumptions and system performance metrics. According to the, the facility produces an average annual generation of 727 GW·h. This figure represents the central estimate for the plant’s output under typical operating conditions in Yuma County, Arizona.
Comparative Generation Estimates
Other institutional assessments provide slightly different projections. The Loan Programs Office, in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), estimates the annual generation at 559 GW·h. This lower figure may reflect more conservative assumptions regarding capacity factors or specific technical parameters evaluated during the loan approval process. Additionally, broader sector estimates place the annual output at 626 GW·h, offering a middle ground between the NREL’s conservative projection and the higher average cited in general references.
These discrepancies highlight the complexity of forecasting solar yield. Variations in cloud cover, temperature coefficients of the cadmium telluride modules, and inverter efficiency can significantly impact the final energy output. The 290 MWAC capacity serves as the baseline for these calculations, with the actual energy harvested depending on the effective full-load hours achieved annually.
Land Use Efficiency
The project’s land use efficiency is characterized by a yield of 300 MW·h per acre. This metric is critical for evaluating the spatial productivity of the photovoltaic installation. With 5.2 million cadmium telluride modules manufactured by First Solar, the plant demonstrates a high density of energy production relative to its footprint in Yuma County. The thin-film technology employed by First Solar contributes to this efficiency, allowing for effective energy capture across the extensive array.
The combination of high annual generation figures and substantial per-acre yield underscores the project’s role as a major contributor to the regional energy mix. The operational status since April 2014 has allowed for the accumulation of real-world data, validating these initial projections and providing benchmarks for future solar developments in the southwestern United States.
See also
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